One of my favorite resources for our homeschool
Ask any homeschool mom what she wants from curriculum, and she’ll probably say she wants something that is easy to use and
affordable.
Geography: A Literature Approach fulfills that request! The study guide incorporates geography, history, and science in a Charlotte Mason-style approach, using the award-winning Holling C. Holling books: Paddle-to-the-Sea,Minn of the Mississippi, Tree in the Trail, and Seabird. A separate set of maps for students to color and label as they work through the study is available separately for purchase. The best advantage of this curriculum is that a wide range of ages can use it, with modifications:
For younger students (2nd-3rd grade) simplicity is advised. For example, at this level when using the Great Lakes map, primary students would learn the names of each of the Great Lakes, bordering state names, Canada, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Atlantic Ocean. They could narrate Paddle-to-the-Sea’s story tracing on the map his route and the names of the places through which he traveled. Intermediate students would learn the above in addition to state capitals, various industries on the Great Lakes, and the different industries these fuel. Students at this level should be required to keep a notebook recording findings from the various research
projects which can include historical figures who impacted these regions, various aspects of the ecology of the Great Lakes, plant and animal life, etc.
Geography: A Literature Approach is divided into four sections, one for each book. Many suggestions are given to extend the lessons to include vocabulary, writing, research, and literary analysis. The geography study covers three main regions of the United States, Canada
and a broad sweep of the world. Each Holling book is the basis for a study of nine to ten lessons. This study can be completed over the course of a semester or an entire year, depending upon how many lessons you complete per week. It could also make an excellent summer unit study. An example of how the lessons cross the curriculum is found in Lesson 4 of Minn of the Mississippi:
1. Read Chapters 6-7 of Minn of the Mississippi.
2. Write definitions of geology, botany, anthropology and zoology in glossary.
3. Define the roots of the word Minneapolis. Record in glossary.
4. Label on map the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Discuss why manufacturing became a major industry in Minneapolis. What two important rivers converge at the Twin Cities?
Completing all of these activities would involve literature, writing, vocabulary, research, geography, science, history, and critical
thinking. I like being able to decide how deeply my children study while considering their ages, interests, and abilities.
The shortcomings of Geography: A Literature Approach
- There are no map keys in the guide. I find myself scrambling to find all the points on the maps. Including a map for each book in the appropriate section of the study guide for parental reference would save time and frustration.
- Several of the suggested titles for further research are out of print.
My favorite things about Geography: A Literature Approach
- It’s simple and affordable. The guide is only seventeen pages in length, yet there is enough content to cover a year’s worth of geography, or a complete unit study.
- The books utilized are excellent. They are illustrated beautifully (Caldecott Honor winners), and Holling’s descriptive writing appeals to a wide range of ages.
- The research topics are clear and specific so that students know exactly how to complete the project. Students will learn that knowing how to find information is just as important as the information itself.
- The maps are big and printed on art-quality paper. Students will create display-worthy keepsakes.
- It appeals to multiple learning styles, particularly visual learners. Coloring and labeling the maps are additional paths of learning to grasp
the information thoroughly. Students can include as much or as little detail as desired. - Institute for Excellence in Writing has a writing curriculum that incorporates Geography: A Literature Approach (Geography-Based Writing Lessons: Incorporating Beautiful Feet Book’s Geography Through Literature Course).
The “living book” approach to geography is unique since literature becomes the basis for the study. With three boys in vastly different
age categories, I want curriculum that is easy to use and engaging.
I appreciate one affordable product all three of them can use, which allows me not to waste time or resources. I think my boys will look back on the time they spent gathered around the kitchen table, coloring and labeling their maps while I read aloud, as a special and unique part of their homeschool years.
Share this:


We all love literature around here. And as much as I like Geography, it seems like this one will be a lot of work – especially for a multiple-grades family. Is it? I’m sort of keeping my eyes out for next year’s supplementary curriculum already!
This looks intense! Of course, that’s coming from a woman who can’t stand history or geography! I’m still trying to find a way to make it FUN and entertaining for me let alone my kids. If they don’t have keys and you’re struggling to find the answers gosh knows I’d have a heck of a time!
Thank you for sharing this review. I do like the fact that you can use it for multiple grades and for me that comes in handy!!
Using literature for geography sounds interesting. I’d be disappointed though to find out the books were out of print-that can be very frustrating.
I once met a girl in Belfast who travelled there just to find all of the places mentioned in a book she’d read! (They all existed except for one). I thought that was a neat thing to do to bring a book to life and mark out places on a map.
How cool! That would be a fun trip to take. 🙂
I love that you’re taking the time to teach geography — it’s such an incredibly useful and enriching topic to dig into!